5 Best Roam Research Alternatives to Boost Your Productivity

Roam Research has revolutionized the modular productivity market with its unique note-taking approach, backlinks, and graph view. However, the hefty price tag of $165 per year and the lack of mobile support have left many users searching for more affordable alternatives. In this article, we will explore the top five alternatives to Roam Research that can help you create your own digital brain without breaking the bank.

1. Notion

Let's kick off the list with the fan-favorite Notion software. Although it doesn't have the famous digital map function of Roam Research, Notion offers a modular approach, backlinks support, and grouped tabs. It also boasts a wide range of templates and cross-platform availability. The best part? Notion is completely free for personal use, making it ideal for project management and boosting productivity.

Pros:

• Modular approach similar to Roam Research
• Backlinks support
• Hundreds of templates to choose from
• Cross-platform availability
• Free for personal accounts with unlimited blocks

Cons:

• Mobile apps are not as robust
• Lacks digital map function
• Requires constant internet connection

Price:
Free for personal use.

2. Obsidian

Obsidian is the closest you can get to a Roam Research alternative. It offers excellent backlinking support and creates a second digital brain as you connect ideas from one note to another. With Obsidian, you can create multiple vaults, work offline, and open multiple notes on a single screen, enhancing your productivity.

Pros:

• Native apps for Windows and Mac
• Beautiful UI
• Plugins support
• Multiple export options
• Digital map support
• Offline support

Cons:

• Confusing pricing structure
• Complex for first-timers

Price:
Obsidian is free to download and use, but cross-platform sync and advanced options require payment.

3. Hypernotes

Hypernotes takes the Roam Research experience to the next level with built-in bi-directional linking and a Semantic Graph. It offers native app support for iOS and Android, making it stand out from other alternatives. Hypernotes combines the functionalities of Roam Research, Google Docs, and Trello, making it a powerful tool for team communication. It also features text outlining and a digital graph similar to Roam Research.

Pros:

• Cross-platform availability
• Zapier integration
• Ideal for team communication
• Text Outlining
• Digital graph similar to Roam Research

Cons:

• Free plan is limited in terms of features

Price:
The Plus plan starts at €8 per month.

4. RemNote

RemNote is an all-in-one workspace for note-taking, learning, organizing thoughts, and growing knowledge. It is highly preferred in the education space by students, researchers, and professionals. RemNote allows you to link notes and ideas, supercharging your memory, organization, and thinking skills. It also offers rich import and export options, best-in-class search function, and backlinks and references support.

Pros:

• Rich import and export options
• Best-in-class search function
• Backlinks and references support

Cons:

• No mobile apps
• Outdated UI
• Not ideal for personal use

Price:
The Pro plan starts at $6 per month.

5. Coda

Coda is more similar to Notion than Roam Research. It combines the functionalities of Google Docs and Google Sheets in a modular package. With Coda, you can create mini apps for various purposes, such as finance tracking, subscription management, and project management. It offers excellent mobile optimization, a feature-rich free plan, and Coda Rules for automation.

Pros:

• Tons of templates to choose from
• Coda Rules for automation
• Excellent mobile optimization
• Feature-rich free plan
• Ideal for project management

Cons:

• Roam power users might find it limiting
• No backlinking support
• Confusing pricing structure

Price:
$10 per month per doc maker.

In conclusion, Roam Research is a powerful tool for creating a digital brain, but there are more affordable alternatives available. Notion and Obsidian are the top choices for many users, while Hypernotes offers a unique experience with native app support. RemNote is highly regarded in the education space, and Coda is great for project management. Explore these alternatives and find the one that suits your needs and budget.